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Vintage theatre

Gone are the surging crowds, the cheers and whistles, which once reverberated corridors of Durga Kalamandiram, recalls J.R. Shridharan

OLD IS GOLD Memories of good old days linger PHOTO: CH. VIJAYA BHASKAR

The very name of Durga Kalamandiram conjures up images of the glorious era of Telugu film history and evokes nostalgia among the older generation in and around Vijayawada. For, this vintage theatre once occupied the prime slot in the world of entertainment in the city, once the nerve centre of movie business in Andhra Pradesh. In fact, this is the second theatre to have come up in the city after Maruthi Talkies, way back in 1940s.

Located in the sprawling one-acre site at Hanumanpet, Kalamandiram, as it was popularly known during the heydays of legendary actor the late Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, emerged a lucky mascot for the Natasarvabhouma.

No other hero-theatre combination can ever surpass NTR's association with this theatre. Interestingly, NTR's first film Mana Desam was released here in 1949 and his last film Srinatha Kavi Sarvabhoumudu was also screened here in 1993.

Says Ch. Bhaskara Rao, proprietor of the theatre: "This theatre was built by Desoddharaka Kalaprapoorna Kasinathuni Nageswara Rao Panthulu, when he was in jail fighting for India's freedom. In the beginning, the theatre was used for staging dramas. But later it was converted into a movie hall. This was NTR's pet theatre."

Blockbusters galore

NTR's close association with Vijaya Pictures, which took the theatre on lease in 1949, paved the way for many blockbusters, which ran for more than 100 days. Paataala Bhairavi, Pelli Chesi Chudu, Maya Bazaar, Gundamma Katha, Ummadi Kutumbam, Ramu, Kodalu Diddina Kapuram and Vetagadu were some of the silver jubilee hits screened in the theatre.

According to movie circles, for 23 continuous years, NTR had at least one 100-day film in Kalamandiram, which is a record for any hero throughout Andhra Pradesh.

A total of 62 films (as a hero), excluding Mana Desam in which NTR played a guest role, were released in a single theatre, which was again a record for any hero, especially in a big city like Vijayawada.

Recollecting his association with NTR, a senior theatre employee Gudipudi Appaji Sarma said that NTR, during his visit to the city, preferred to stay in the guest house close to the theatre. "He never used to eat food outside.

We brought him home-made food and he relished idlies from Babai Hotel in Gandhinagar for breakfast."

Bhaskara Rao said the guest house at the theatre complex turned out to be the most-sought-after venue during the formation of Telugu Desam Party and many crucial meetings were held here involving NTR and other leaders.

Special bond

"Even after becoming the Chief Minister, NTR used to visit the hall with passion. Durga Kalamandiram always had a special place in his heart," Rao said.

The popular entertainment house was set on fire during the1988 riots that broke out in the aftermath of the murder of Congress legislator Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga Rao. "The hall was reduced to ashes by the furious mob," Rao recollects.

Says Turlapati Kutumba Rao, a senior film journalist: "The theatre was fondly called as Panthulugari Theatre.

Moviegoers, those days, had immense respect for the theatre. Even today, the theatre is the most spacious movie hall available in the city." As the irony would have it, NTR's once run-away success film - Alibaba 40 Dongalu is being screened now at the theatre, but what is amiss is that the movie hall wears a deserted look.

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